Sailing and Water Sports in Seaton Bay.

Yachting, cruising, dinghy sailing, canoeing, racing, boat fishing, motorboats,water skiing and wind surfing are all alowed in Seaton Bay.

Surfing is possible, but surf conditions are not often favourable, as Lyme Bay is sheltered from the direct force of the Atlantic rollers.

Jet skis are prohibited in the harbour by order of the East Devon District Council, but can get access to the bay by launching from the beach with access from the Esplanade via the ramp opposite Burrow Road.

Axmouth Harbour is a tidal, drying harbour.

The narrow entrance to the harbour is at the end of the shingle bank, just west of Haven Cliff, and is marked by a starboard hand beacon at the end of a short groyne from the pierhead. Just off the harbour entrance to seaward, is a shingle bar liable to frequent shifting; the channel is therefore unmarked, though normally running SSW (NNE from seaward).

The harbour offers access over high water for craft up to 8.5m (30ft) length and 1.5m (4ft) draft. Tidal streams run strongly within the entrance channel and river, particularly on Spring tides when entry and leaving times are critical. Inside, the shelter is good, and the basin is impounded by a bedrock sill.

As the harbour is private property, (owned by East Devon District Council and managed by the Axmouth Harbour Management Company which has overall responsibility for monitoring, advising, maintenance and development of the harbour area.) there is no public slipway in the harbour grounds.

Day visitors can use the harbour slipway by paying for a day ticket.

Canoes and Kayaks can be either wheeled through the gaps in the sea wall, or lifted over to gain access to the beach.

Dingies can gain access to the beach using the ramp at Fishermans Gap, although there is no storage area there.

Axe Yacht Club

Axe Yacht Club based in Axmouth Harbour is the main centre for water sports activities in Seaton Bay and most watersports activities are catered for within the Clubs organisation.

The Axe Yacht Club usually organises dinghy racing and experience sailing on Sundays during the sailing season.

The Club owns 7 dinghies which can be used by Club members in organised sessions by those learning to sail and gain experience.

Yacht races are held in the Bay and locally on many weekends during the season, and cruising races feature on the Club programme. Some longer Club cruises are organised, occasionally going across the Channel, or west or east along the coast.

The Club boatyard is large enough to house most boats and equipment during the winter, and is complete with workshops and storage areas for use of members.

It owns plant, tractors and machinery including lifting gear to launch and recover large craft.

The Club has over 100 moorings for boats up to 30 ft in length and 10 ft in beam, all of which must be able to stand (e g bilge or retractable keels) as the harbour dries.

There are two slipways in the harbour for the launch and recovery of trailed boats and tenders, and two pontoons for boarding and unloading crews and equipment.

During weekends in the summer, a temporary slipway is laid down the beach with an electric winch for the recovery of dinghies.

A good social programme is run from the newly extended Clubhouse located on the beach where there are lovely views of the white cliffs and Beer Head.

For more information on Axe Yacht Club, visit their web site on:- www.axeyachtclub.co.uk or Telephone: 01297 20043

Axe Vale Canoe Club

The Axe Vale Canoe Club shares the Harbour facilities with the Axe Yacht Club.

During the summer, the Canoe Club runs Sunday trips to various South West estuaries and sea paddles to places such as the Dart, Exe, Port Quinn, etc and surfing trips to Saunton Sands.

During the winter months of October to March the club arranges river paddles on the rivers Axe, Dart, Barle and others.

The Club holds an annual canoe/kayak race, the River Axe Race run with various entry categories and normally has around 100 entrants. The 2011 River Axe Race was held on Sunday 13th March.

River Axe Race 2011 photo gallery

There are two ways to become a new member of the Axe Vale Canoe Club.

Both involve going along on a Friday night to either the beginners or improvers sessions.

Each set of sessions allows the club to assess your current standard and help you attain the British Canoe Union (BCU) 2-Star standard, if you have not already achieved it.

After successfully completing either of these courses in a kayak or canoe, members can take part in a wide variety of events throughout the year.

The club has a range of canoes and kayaks that can be borrowed for lessons, sessions and also trips.

The members club night is held every Wednesday evening running between April and September and is for more experienced paddlers (assessed as at least BCU 2-star standard).

Members can learn further skills, take a trip up the river Axe or out to sea. In addition there are opportunities for further BCU skill assessments.

The River Axe, Grade 1 in normal conditions, is a narrow river which winds through beautiful countryside. It is a major fishing river whose Clubs and Members pay a high level of subscription for fishing rights.

It is therefore closed to canoeing during the fishing season from March to October inclusive. It has a 5.5 mile stretch for which access has been agreed.

There is no right of way or access over farmland through which the river flows, except in emergency.

The river at Axmouth village, becomes an estuary, with adverse wind conditions, this can become choppy. The estuary is an important wildlife habitat. At low water the estuary becomes muddy flats.

Beyond the 2 Axmouth Bridges the river flows into the sea. On the ebb tide the flow can be 6 - 8 knots, so caution is needed. The mouth of the estuary is a dangerous place due to the ever changing nature of the gravel bank just off the entrance. This is not a place for the novice canoeist. At all times you are advised to go ashore on the right hand gravel bank and reconnoitre the entrance before attempting to run it.

visit the Axe Vale Canoe Club web site on :-www.axevalecc.co.uk

Beer Sailing Club.

Perched on top of the cliff at Beer opposite the Anchor Inn with panoramic views of the sailing is Beer Sailing Club.

Beer Sailing Club enjoys what is probably one of the finest locations for dinghy racing in the United Kingdom. The chalk headland of Beer Head jutting out about a mile shelters the shingle beach from all the westerly winds. Dingies are then launched off the beach and out into the bay.

It is a very active club with racing for Laser and Mirror class dingies throughout the year which is competitive yet friendly. Visitors are very welcome, whatever standard and current members are always willing to help.

The lugger class fleet has grown in popularity over the years, the club holds races on each Monday evening during the period April to September and has built up a large keen following of locals and visitors alike.

The club meets from Easter to the end of September,sailing on Sunday mornings and afternoons as well as Thursday evenings while there is enough light. From October to Boxing day, there is a winter series on Sunday mornings.

visit the Beer Sailing Club web site on:- www.beersailingclub.co.uk

visit the Beer Luggers Club on:- www.beerluggers.co.uk